Defeating Adultery- MONDAY
Defeating Adultery
by
Bryan Craig
MONDAY- Every Man's Battle
"Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth." Proverbs 5:15-18 NIV
I have a feeling I already have your full attention. As I was praying about what to write in this week's Proximity series, God surprisingly downloaded Proverbs 5 to me. It was interesting because I already had a heavy heart for marriages, and I was disheartened at the seeming epidemic of infidelity that I see in the world. I honestly don't know the statistics, and I don't think I need to research this, but I believe the majority of marriages end because of adultery. Stephen Arterburn wrote a book a few years ago called, "Every Man's Battle" where he dissects the issues of lust, pornography and adultery that face every man. The first step in winning this battle is realizing that there is a battle. We may all have differing degrees of sex drive or testosterone, but I think we can agree that Lust is a very real urge, and it is an emotion which can cause us to sin. I realize we have some Journey women in the audience, and while I don't think they are exempt from this discussion, I am mainly writing to men. I know "It takes two to Tango" as they say, but I'm coming from a perspective that believes men are leaders who can make the greatest impact on this problem.
First, let me say that the Biblical definition of Adultery is "a man who has illicit intercourse with a married or betrothed woman." Such a woman is called an "adulteress." Intercourse between a married man and an unmarried woman is called Fornication. I'm concerned with ANY intercourse outside of the marriage covenant! You and I both know it's wrong.
King Solomon, who wrote Proverbs, liked the ladies. 1 Kings 11:1-13 says he had 700 wives and 300 concubines (mistresses). It says, "As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been." 1 Kings 11:4 NIV
This same man wrote these words:
"My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not. Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house...." Proverbs 5:1-8 NIV
Do I have your attention now? Is King Solomon speaking to you with his warning? This week, we will look at God's warnings and look for strength to overcome the temptations.